Norris had his worst outing since rookie ball, giving up eight runs on eight hits.

Both Owens and Norris were left-handed bonus babies out of high school in 2011 – the Blue Jays giving Norris $2 million, the Red Sox handing $1.55 million to Owens. Both pitched well in the All-Stars Futures Game last Sunday in Minnesota, in which the U.S. team beat the World team, 3-2.

Owens hadn’t started for the Sea Dogs since July 6.

“Good to get out for a full game with the team,” Owens said. “There were some misfires. I thought I made key adjustments at key times.”

Owens, who turns 22 on Monday, continues to dominate. Counting his six starts last season for Portland, he is 16-4 overall in Double-A, with a 2.23 ERA in 24 starts.

Owens is in good company with other young prospects who pitched in Portland.

Jon Lester was a 21-year-old in 2005 (26 starts, 11-6, 2.61). Clay Buchholz was 22 in 2007, when he made 15 starts (7-2, 1.77). Felix Doubront came to Portland as a 21-year-old (34 starts in 2009-10: 12-6, 3.13).

With the win, Portland (64-36) moved to 4½ games ahead of the Binghamton Mets (59-40) in the Eastern League East. New Hampshire is fourth at 46-53.

NOTES: Reliever Noe Ramirez allowed one run in 21/3 innings … Swihart leads the team with 53 RBI and is tied for first in home runs (11) with Sean Coyle … Michael Almanzar was hit in the left arm by a pitch in the sixth inning and had to leave the game … Third baseman Jonathan Roof nearly fell over the dugout railing while reaching for a foul ball, and later dove for a scorching ground ball and threw the runner out … Center fielder Derrik Gibson made two fine running catches

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